Morningstar charge controllers can now support solar + storage projects in hazardous locations

Morningstar Corporation announced its signature SunSaver and higher-powered ProStar solar charge controller lines have achieved certifications for HazLoc use in North America with UL/CSA ratings. Morningstar’s new wider range of solar chargers designed for HazLoc use brings new opportunities for solar + storage projects to power remote off-grid systems with improved safety and reliability.

Solar + storage makes sense in oil and gas applications. Operations are often great distances from any electrical grid, yet require dependable sources of electricity for essential services including injection pumping, monitoring and control, data and communications, security, lighting and other “digital oilfield” needs.

Generators can power remote off-grid systems, but they require fuel and frequent maintenance. In contrast, a solar electric system has no moving parts and, outside of storage batteries, requires little maintenance over the system’s comparatively long operational life.

“The economics of solar work out to an extremely low operational expense over the life of the system, making it more cost-effective in the long run,” said Lee Gordon, president and founder of Morningstar Corporation. “One of Morningstar’s first products nearly 30 years ago was our SunSaver controller designed for oil and gas customers. We grew up in this industry. Our latest generation of HazLoc-rated controllers build on their predecessors’ excellence and take it forward into new applications.”

Out of a field of over 700 brands of charge controllers, Morningstar is unique for earning HazLoc certification on a wide range of models. For months, the company underwent a rigorous audit of its operations, documentation and quality procedures in the design, control and production of these solar charge controllers. Passing the audit demonstrates that Morningstar follows rigorous standards and procedures to ensure quality and consistency in its product lines.

“Energy storage batteries are one of the most expensive components of a solar system. Your choice of a charge controller is critical in protecting that investment and ensuring optimal battery health,” said Bill Mellema, product director at Morningstar Corporation. “Our controllers are used in the most extreme environments found on Earth. There’s no such thing as ‘overkill’ when it comes to reliability in these areas.”

Morningstar’s new range of HazLoc controllers makes it possible to enable “digital oilfields” with larger, more capable solar electric solutions. Products with the new UL/CSA North America certifications include:

News item from Morningstar Corporation

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/07/morningstar-charge-controllers-hazard-certification/